Newcastle United news: Rafa Benitez has steered his side to fourth in the table

Our man in the North East, Ian Murtagh, assesses Newcastle's fine form and asks whether Rafa Benitez's side can claim a spot in Europe...

The Toon's three-match winning run hasn't just transformed the mood of the Toon Army, it's even led to an hilarious exchange on Match of the Day, which had Geordie legend Alan Shearer cracking up with laughter,

Presenter Gary Lineker was interviewing Rafa Benitez in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 win over Stoke, which catapulted the Magpies into fourth place when the subject of their European prospects cropped up.

Lineker, who famously presented the show in just a pair of boxer shorts following Leicester's Premier League triumph, claimed Shearer would repeat the stunt if Newcastle finished in the top six.

Newcastle player ratings v Stoke

“To be fair to Newcastle fans, few have raised the subject of a top six finish this season and even fewer think it's probable”

"So can you pull it off?" he asked Benitez, before quickly realising just what he had said.

It was too late. The double entendre was all too much for Shearer, who could barely contain himself when the camera closed in on him.

To be fair to Newcastle fans, few have raised the subject of a top six finish this season and even fewer think it's probable.

So just where are last season's Football League champions? And was Benitez' guilty of a blatant kidology during the summer when he predicted a survival battle in the months ahead?

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Newcastle United news: Rafa Benitez has steered the Toon to three wins on the spin

Few conclusions can be arrived at just yet. After all, their three wins so far have all been against sides not expected to finish in the top half of the table.

They've only come up against one of the elite - at St James' Park on the opening weekend of the season - and though Jonjo Shelvey's red card arguably led to them losing 2-0, they spent the vast majority of the game on the back foot, defending for their lives.

After two games, Newcastle were pointless and goalless and when Nottingham Forest then sent them crashing out of the EFL Cup, the picture Benitez had painted of a squad ill-equipped to handle the rigours of top flight football, looked ominously accurate.

A botched transfer deadline day only added to the feeling that here was a disfunctional club, hurtling towards yet another crisis.

But if the politics remains messy and distrust remains between Benitez and owner Mike Ashley, on the pitch, Newcastle are united.

Benitez' coaching expertise and a squad brimming with character really are two powerful weapons which suggest the whole is significantly greater than the sum of the parts.

In all five league games, Newcastle have looked exceptionally well drilled, difficult to break down and sufficiently disciplined to implement a gameplan which, if not expansive, is proving to be effective.

In terms of personnel, the Toon have several players performing at their best.

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Newcastle United news: Stoke were dispatched 2-1 on Saturday

Widemen Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie were excellent against Stoke, the defensive partnership of captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark looks as solid as any right now and Joselu, though he missed several chances against his old club, offers a mobile, physical presence in attack.

While some fans have gone overboard on Spanish recruit Mikel Merino - the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was quiet two days ago - he is keeping Shelvey out of the side on merit and dovetails effectively with the industrous Isaac Hayden.

Contrary to nationwide opinion, expectations on Tyneside are not sky-high. Take a straw poll and I'd guess most supporters would predict a final finish between 9th and 14th while a few weeks ago, they'd have said anywhere between 12th and 17th.

Cautious optimism has replaced anxiety.

There will be bad results ahead, even bad runs but Newcastle certainly look capable of ending the season with a stress-free mid-table finish.